Power Get Stuck on Tracks against Express
December 16, 2014 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Mississauga Power News Release
(Mississauga, ON -) The Power showed their true colours in a tough but gritty 123-118 loss to the Windsor Express. The numbers don't tell the story of how the Power were able to turn the game around and threaten to add a loss to Windsor's 8-2 record going into the game with a remarkable performance from forward Travis Releford.
The Power broke the game open with a sweet move to the basket from forward Jaushay Rockett followed by two much needed defensive stops. Mississauga pulled away to a speedy 6-0 lead until Windsor caught up to make it 10-6. The Express held a 20-8 lead at the halfway mark and dominated with 20 points in the paint. But forward Donald Johnson turned the game around with two key baskets that cut Windsor's lead to 10 points. Centre Paul Cooper capped the Power attack with a rebounding dunk that kept the Express close 30-20 at the buzzer.
Mississauga's interior game needed an immediate boost in order to catch up to Windsor's lead. Despite being outsized by the Express, Rockett, Cooper and forward Travis Releford muscled their way under the basket to rack up eight key points in the paint. Releford exploded for six points for the Power to stay within ten of the Express but eventually succumbed to a 51-32 deficit at half time.
The Express played with a laidback sense of confidence as they ran their lead to as high as 19 points. Mississauga persisted and finally took control of the game off of gritty drives from Cooper. The Power went on a tear that frustrated the Express, causing Windsor centre DeAndre Thomas to draw a technical. The Power were within 10 points again and laid off the perimeter shots for foul drawing drives to the hoop. At the five minute mark Windsor only led 75-65.
Releford then had the hot hand and took over the quarter with thirteen points in the third quarter alone to cut Windsor's lead to six. The Power were knocking on the door trailing 81-84 thanks to two free throws from Cooper. As time wore on the Express got back into the driver's seat in the last minute to elevate themselves to an 88-81 lead at the close of the quarter.
Forward Marcus Capers stepped up and played fearless. His opening drive sent the message that the Power were nowhere near finished and forced themselves to within three points of the Express. League leading three point shooter Omar Strong came in as Windsor's worst nightmare as he heated up for a crucial three points from downtown. Capers added a three of his own and swatted away a Windsor drive for the block of the season. The Power didn't waver on offence as Strong struck with another pair of three's and three free throws. The game of cat and mouse ensued in the final minutes as Mississauga were only five points away from Windsor but couldn't catch up. The Express took the nail biting victory 123-118.
Travis Releford was the game changer in his return to the court with 24 points and five helpers in 35 minutes of play. Omar Strong netted 22 points going 6-for-10 from beyond the arc and Marcus Capers rounded out the attack with 18 points and 11 boards.
The Power will be on the road to redemption when they travel to London to take on the Lightning on Dec. 18 for a 7 p.m. tip-off at the Budweiser Gardens.
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National Basketball League of Canada Stories from December 16, 2014
- Power Get Stuck on Tracks against Express - Mississauga Power
- See-Saw Second Half Ends Windsor's Way - Windsor Express
- Mill Rats Re-Tool, Add Firepower - Saint John Riptide
- Rainmen Play Santa Claus - Halifax Rainmen
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